It’s not a traditional game by any stretch of the imagination, per se, but Dim Bulb Games, Serenity Forge, and Good Shepherd Entertainment’s Where The Water Tastes Like Wine is easily one of the most inventive and sensibly striking games to make its way to the market in a long time.
The thing is – as discussed the very positive reviews for the game that are up on Steam right now – this is not an experience for everyone. It doesn’t have a simple enemy to defeat or a traditional adventure goal to unravel like most other games. It’s more about savoring the narrative experience across a non-linear journey throughout the changing shape of America some hundred or so odd years ago.
Where The Water Tastes Like Wine is a plodding game about the weight and burdens of lore – folklore, to be exact. You’re burdened with listening and sharing tales that turn into tall tales as you venture across America’s mid-west during the late 19th and early 20th century, picking up stories from the locals and traveling by foot or railroad like a vagrant those thirst is quenched with the sorrows, hardships, and triumphs of the great American spirit.
I imagine this game will age much like its namesake, fermenting over time like fine wine.
Gameplay consists of traveling around a 3D overworld of the United States – you’ll travel through a surreal retelling of a depressing era of the U.S., while meeting, gathering, and sharing stories with strangers along the way.
The idea is to re-share the stories and unlock new interactions that furthers your path through the great American tragedies, the untold victories, and the folklore that become legend.
Just about every review notes that Ryan Ike’s soundtrack is already a timeless piece of art. If you’ve been thoroughly entertained by the listening experience featuring Ike’s eclectic collection of American folk music, you can pre-order the double LP from over on Laced Records.
Alternatively you can purchase the “Wayfarer Edition” of Where The Water Tastes Like Wine, which contains a full copy of the game, a digital art book, and Ike’s soul-searing soundtrack all for $26.99.
Alternatively you can pick up a standard copy of Where The Water Tastes Like Wine from the Steam store for $19.99. During the first week the game is marked down by 15% off. If you don’t like Steam or its DRM, you can get the DRM-free version of the game from GOG.com.
